| Sintra lies on the eastern side of a range of | | | | building of Jeronimos monastery in Belem. The |
| mountains around 20 miles from Lisbon. | | | | Blazons room is possibly the most elaborate, |
| | | | with the ceiling depicting the coats of arms |
| This area enjoys an almost tropical abundance | | | | of seventy two noble families of eighteenth |
| of luxuriant flora and rich vegetation. For | | | | century Portugal. Huge pieces of Oriental |
| this reason it has been made famous by poets | | | | porcelian and marbled glass can also be found |
| and artists such as Byron who described it as | | | | here, given to Queen Carlota Joaquina by the |
| a glorious Eden. | | | | Emperor of China in 1806. |
| | | | |
| At the bottom of the mountain lies the small | | | | Above the museum stands Pena palace, towering |
| village of Sao Pedro because of the large | | | | over the south eastern side of the mountain |
| numbers of tourists, that Sintra attracts | | | | range. Originally this was the site of an |
| many of the shops and cafes in Sao Pedro are | | | | early monastery, it was remade into a palace |
| rather more expensive than usual. However, a | | | | in 1840. The attempt to fuse Scottish |
| short walk to the train station takes you to | | | | Baronial style with Moorish aesthetics was to |
| a number of local restaurants and bars that | | | | the taste of Dom Fernando II. Taking |
| are considerably cheaper. | | | | advantage of the exotic oddness of the |
| | | | architecture the 1996 TV mini series of |
| Scattered amongst the foliage, flowers and | | | | Gullivers Travels was partly filmed here. |
| fauna of the mountain, are a variety of | | | | |
| opulent palaces and castles in contrasting | | | | The Moorish Castle dates back to the 8th |
| styles. The two huge oat house chimneys which | | | | Century and provide a sweeping view of the |
| can be seen from miles around Sintra are part | | | | region. It is believed that the Castle was |
| of the Royal Palace, now a museum. | | | | taken from the Moors during King Sigurd of |
| | | | Norways crusade in the 12th Century. The |
| The huge kitchen from which the chimneys | | | | castle has a wonderfully romantic feel to it, |
| ascend is one of the most interesting parts | | | | although sufferers of vertigo may find the |
| of the museum, if simply to give an idea of | | | | views from the summit a little frightening. |
| the complexities of cooking for royalty. The | | | | |
| chapel is surprisingly simple and | | | | Sintra is an excellent place to visit if you |
| uncluttered, combining Moorish aesthetics | | | | have a passion for walking and rambling |
| with an almost Protestant sparseness. The | | | | through beautiful countryside. Vast views of |
| Manueline room was created later than other | | | | Cascais and Estoril and the estuary of the |
| rooms, and depicts the style associated with | | | | Tagus can be found within a short stroll |
| King Manuel, who also comissioned the | | | | around the many parts of the mountains. |